Inter-Country Adoption (Step-by-step procedure) RA8043

IMPORTANT Inter-country adoption process does not require the intervention of a lawyer. The Inter-Country Adoption Board and its foreign counterpart will process the required papers and documents. At your option, you may engage the services of lawyer to act as your liaison to expedite the processing of documents efore the Inter-country Adoption Board.

!i"in# $n App"ic$tion %it& ICA' t&rou#& $ !orei#n Adoption A#ency !oreign national residing a road and who is interested in adopting a child from the "hilippines may file an application with the Intercountry Adoption Board. This application is filed through a foreign adoption agency accredited y ICAB prefera ly at the place of residence of the prospective adopting parents. The waiting period for the Board to approve the application is # months to $ year.

C&i"d reco((ended )or inter-country $doption The %&'% recommends for inter-country adoption a child previously committed to the "hilippine government. This recommendation certifies that inter-country adoption is in the est interest of the child.

M$tc&in# The Inter-Country Adoption "lacement Committee matches the child with a person or couple interested in adopting and refers its proposal ac( to ICAB for approval. The Inter-Country Adoption Act of $))* specifically prohi its contact etween the child and prospective adoptive parent +s, efore such matching has een approved y the Board

P"$ce(ent Aut&ority The Inter-Country Adoption Board notifies the foreign adoption agency of its matching decision within five days. The adoptive parents have $* days to respond. If they agree to the proposed match, the Board issues a "lacement Authority within five days. This placement authority allows the applicants to ta(e custody of the child.

*is$ App"ic$tions The child appears at the appropriate foreign -m assy for his.her visa interview. The Inter-Country Adoption Board serves as a proxy for the adoptive parents. ICAB prepares all the necessary documents and fees, including passport and medical examination.

C&i"d tr$+e"s to $ !orei#n ,$nd The Inter-Country Adoption Act requires the adoptive parent+s, to escort the child from the "hilippines to the country of destination. The adoptive parents must arrive no later than thirty days after the appropriate visa has een issued.

Super+ision o) Tri$" Custody /pon assuming custody of the child, the applicants enter a six-month trial period where the accredited foreign adoption agency monitors the child0s welfare.

Petition )or Adoption The foreign nationals adoptive parents should file an adoption petition with a court of his home country within 1 months of the completion of the trial custody period.

!in$" Adoption -ecree The final adoption decree issued y a foreign court should e su mitted to ICAB within one month from issuance.